Is transitional kitchen design the cure to your decision woes? Maybe. I once read about a study in consumer decision making involving jelly. The study found that when more than a certain number of types of jellies were available on a supermarket shelf, customers had a tendency to get overwhelmed and not buy any jelly at all. The conclusion? There is such a thing as too many choices.

We can relate, right? Think about the dessert tray at a fancy restaurant. If the server brings the tray by your table and you only have three choices, it’s easy to pick one out. On the other hand, if that same tray holds 10 choices, it will take you a long time to choose (and the poor server’s arm will tire while waiting on you!).

The unusual dilemma of too many choices can hinder decisions in kitchen design as well. When it comes to kitchens in 2018, anything goes! And that anything can be paralyzing. The last time I bought kitchen cabinets, the salesperson was surprised at how quickly I made my decision and told me she was currently working with a woman who had spent two years trying to pick out her kitchen cabinets and still hadn’t decided!

A transitional kitchen design can put that indecision to rest. How? By being just that: transitional. A transitional kitchen design is extremely versatile. You can invest in kitchen cabinets that work for one design now, then change your mind and want a totally different look in three years—and still use the same cabinets.

What is a transitional kitchen design?

A transitional kitchen design is a design approach that effectively combines traditional and contemporary elements. It gives you creative license when designing your new kitchen. For example, one homeowner might combine traditional elements with contemporary ones but it’s done in a way that doesn’t look eclectic: that’s the transitional aspect. Design elements such as the kitchen cabinets can easily transition to a different look.

Transitional kitchen cabinets are usually more contemporary in style but in a subtle way. For example, Shaker cabinets fit in a traditional kitchen and have a long history. On the other hand, Shaker cabinets work in a transitional kitchen design because they also fit in a contemporary kitchen. It’s the “traditional” look of the cabinets that keeps the kitchen from looking modern.

A transitional kitchen design is also better for the resale value of your home because potential buyers will be able to see their own style as possible with your kitchen.

Which style cabinets will work in a transitional kitchen design?

As we said above, transitional kitchen cabinets are usually more contemporary than traditional, but not modern or streamlined looking. That means they work in a traditional kitchen or a modern one, or something in between. For example, Shaker cabinets look great in a traditional kitchen or in a contemporary one, so we consider them to be “transitional.”

Are you ready to explore kitchen cabinets for your traditional kitchen design? We’re ready for you! Almost all the door styles in our Clean Lines and Contemporary Elegance categories (Avenue being the one style I would leave out) will work in a transitional kitchen design. Take a look and see for yourself!